The EA Sports FC 26 Team of the Year (TOTY) vote is one of the biggest events of the Ultimate Team cycle. For a limited time, the community chooses which real-world players are honoured with some of the strongest cards of the entire game. These blue TOTY items often redefine the meta, remain usable for months, and become endgame-level pieces for top squads.
For FC 26, EA is once again running a global online vote. This time, though, the full list of nominees was not revealed in advance by EA. Instead, dataminers and leakers have uncovered a long list of players who are expected to be available in the ballot. On this page you’ll find a clear, English overview of those leaked TOTY nominees for men and women, how the voting window works, and how to start preparing your club and budget before the promo goes live.
EA runs the TOTY vote through a dedicated web page on the official EA Sports FC site. The FC 26 voting period is expected to follow this schedule based on current information:
During this window you can log in with your EA account, build your ideal XI for both men and women, and submit your ballot. Traditionally, you choose:
Once the vote closes, EA processes the community results and then releases the final TOTY squads gradually in packs and SBCs. Historically, attackers arrive first, followed by midfielders and defenders, with goalkeepers usually released alongside defenders or as a separate batch.
According to trusted leakers and dataminers, EA will offer 27 men’s forwards in the FC 26 TOTY vote, slightly fewer than last year. The number of women’s forwards is still unconfirmed, but at least one attacker has already appeared in early data.
Here is the current leaked list of male forwards likely to appear in the FC 26 TOTY ballot:
With names like Mbappé, Haaland, Messi, and Vini Jr. in the mix, the attacker category is going to be extremely competitive. When you cast your vote, it can help to think not only about real-life performances but also about which players will be most impactful in the FC 26 gameplay meta.
At the time of writing, EA has not fully revealed the women’s forward shortlist. However, data mining suggests at least one confirmed name:
More women’s forward nominees are expected to be unveiled closer to, or during, the official voting window. Keep an eye on EA’s announcements and reputable community sources so you don’t miss key stars when filling out your ballot.
Midfield is the engine room of any TOTY squad. For FC 26, leakers indicate that 34 men’s midfielders will be eligible in the vote, which is significantly more than last year. As with the other lines, the exact women’s list is still to be confirmed by EA.
Traditionally, you choose three midfielders per team in the TOTY vote, often building around a balance of defensive midfielders, box-to-box engines, and creative playmakers.
Here are the leaked male midfielders for the FC 26 TOTY vote:
Bellingham, Valverde, Barella and Kimmich are likely to be among the most popular community picks, but playstyle variety is important too. A TOTY Musiala or Lamine Yamal could become an unstoppable dribbler, while Rice or Caicedo would anchor your midfield with elite defensive stats.
The women’s midfield shortlist has not yet surfaced in full. For now, consider your favourite real-world performers from the last year and be prepared to support them once EA reveals the official lineup of candidates.
The back line often separates a good squad from a truly elite one in Ultimate Team. Datamined information suggests that 20 men’s defenders will be part of the FC 26 TOTY vote, just one fewer than last year.
As usual, you’ll pick four defenders per team, allowing you to go with a classic back four or a more hybrid setup, depending on how EA’s web interface is structured this year.
Below is the list of leaked male defenders expected in the FC 26 TOTY vote:
Van Dijk, Saliba, Marquinhos, and Nuno Mendes are stand-out names that could define the defensive meta if they receive TOTY upgrades. When voting, think about chemistry links as well as pure stats – pairing a TOTY Van Dijk with Alisson, or a PSG back line around Marquinhos and Mendes, can make squad building more flexible.
EA has not yet confirmed which women defenders will appear in the FC 26 ballot, but the expectation is that the list will be similarly sized to the men’s, potentially around 20 players. Top-performing full-backs and centre-backs from major women’s leagues and international tournaments are likely candidates.
Goalkeepers may not be the flashiest cards, but a reliable TOTY keeper can save you countless goals in Weekend League and Rivals. For FC 26, the leaks again point to 7 men’s goalkeepers, just like in previous years.
Here are the leaked keepers expected to feature in the FC 26 TOTY vote:
Coutois, Alisson, and Neuer are usual favourites, but with new club links and meta changes in FC 26, players like Donnarumma or Raya could also be attractive picks, especially if they offer desirable chemistry links for your back line.
Last year, five women goalkeepers were part of the vote. FC 26 may expand that list, but until EA publishes the official ballot, details remain speculative. Expect top performers from major women’s club competitions and international events to be included.
Every TOTY campaign has one thing in common: the transfer market goes wild. Meta golds rise, fodder spikes, and the best TOTY items remain extremely expensive for most of the promo. If you want to compete early with a stacked squad, you need a strong coin balance ready before the first wave of TOTY cards hits packs.
This is where ItemD2R can be a valuable ally. Instead of grinding endless Rivals matches or trading all day, you can buy fifa coins cheapest from a specialized marketplace that focuses on football titles like EA FC 26. ItemD2R is designed for players who want to enjoy the game’s best content without spending all of their free time on tedious coin-making methods.
On ItemD2R, it’s simple to fc26 buy coins safely and quickly. The platform offers multiple delivery options, transparent pricing, and customer support tailored to Ultimate Team players. With extra coins on hand, you can:
Instead of falling behind during one of the most competitive promos of the year, using ItemD2R’s services lets you focus on gameplay and team building. Whether you’re aiming for an elite Weekend League rank or just want to run your favourite real-life stars with TOTY cards, a stronger coin balance gives you the flexibility to make it happen.
To get the most out of FC 26 TOTY, think ahead about how your final team might look and what roles you need to fill:
Remember that TOTY is a long event. You don’t need to buy everything on day one. It can be smarter to secure key positions early and then adjust your squad as more cards become available or prices correct.
Based on current information, the vote is scheduled to run from 7 January 2026 (19:00) to 12 January 2026 (08:59). Dates can always change slightly, so double-check on the official EA Sports FC site once the promo is announced.
Historically, you select:
EA will confirm the exact number of slots when the FC 26 voting page goes live.
No. All lists above are based on leaked and datamined information. EA can still change the final shortlist, add new players, or remove some of the currently leaked names before the vote launches.
Save packs, hold some high-rated fodder for SBCs, and keep a coin reserve for market moves. If you don’t have much time to grind, consider using services like ItemD2R so you can buy fifa coins cheapest and stay competitive during the promo.
With this overview of the FC 26 TOTY vote, the leaked nominees, and preparation strategies, you’re ready to cast your ballot and build towards one of the most exciting squads you’ll field all year.